News / Community Reporter Scheme
New soft play centre and cafe to open in Lawrence Weston
A new soft play centre and cafe is set to open this summer in Lawrence Weston.
Boing! Lawrence Weston will provide play facilities, a cafe and support for parents and carers of children up to the age of five. It is due to open in June for local families and childminders, and will fully open to the public in September.
The soft play centre will be the third Boing! in Bristol, a non-for-profit enterprise that was first opened by the North Bristol Childrens’ Centre in Lockleaze in 2011, followed by Boing! Inns Court in Knowle West, which opened in 2021.
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Carrie-Ann Markham, development worker for Boing! tells Bristol24/7 that this will be a first for Lawrence Weston and is much-needed in the area.
“There is nothing like Boing! in this area,” says Carrie-Ann.
“We want to provide a space where families can come with their under-fives in a relaxing environment, that is friendly, affordable and allows families to build a support network with us and other local families. We hope this will be really welcomed in Lawrence Weston.”
The centre will include a safe multi-level soft play facility designed specifically for under-fives, including a ball pool, sensory features and tunnels, and an area specifically for under-twos.
Boing! Lawrence Weston will provide play facilities, a cafe and support for parents and carers of children up to the age of five – photo: Emily Shimell
“What we understand from parents is that they enjoy a space that is small enough to always be able to keep an eye on their children, whilst they can still sit back and enjoy a coffee. That is what we are creating here,” Carrie-Ann says.
She adds that is isn’t going to be just a soft play or cafe, but a local hub for both the parents and the children to get what they need.
“If you want to play in the soft play with your children, you can, but if you’re feeling like you need a break, your children can play and you can get some me time, or you can get to know other parents or the staff – there’s always someone around to help.”
Boing! Lawrence Weston will be opening in the Lawrence Weston Community Church on Kings Weston Lane, and it is hoped it will be something that will benefit the community.
“The church initiated this project with us and thought this would be something that would hugely benefit families in the area,” adds Carrie-Ann.
Lawrence Weston Community Church says that they are really looking forward to being able to serve hundreds of local families with this project.
“We know that Lockleaze and Inns Court communities love their Boings and we have heard from many Lawrence Weston families really excited about the prospect of a Boing! softplay family centre on their doorstep.”
Boing! Lawrence Weston will be opening within the Lawrence Weston Community Church on Kings Weston Lane in June – image: Google Streetview.
The new Boing! will be a different layout to the others, but Carrie-Ann says the cafe will offer the same simple and affordable food and drinks as you can find at other Boing! locations across Bristol.
“The cafe will serve hot and cold food and drinks, teas, coffees, soups, toasties and jacket potatoes, kids meals, snacks and cakes. There will be something suitable for everyone, without breaking the bank.”
Boing! Lawrence Weston sessions will run throughout the week during term-time and will be available to hire for private parties at the weekends once the build is complete.
Carrie-Ann adds: “We will aim to run different specialised sessions depending on the area and what’s needed. Groups like Learn and Grow, where we offer additional storytimes, play activities and crafts, and Tiddlers, which are smaller, calmer and more relaxed sessions.”
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Matt Davies, from Cheswick Village, is a parent of a three-year-old and one-year-old who regularly visits the sister Boing! In Lockleaze. He says: “We love the place here as it’s safe, affordable, clean and friendly. The staff are what make it. It’s fantastic this is going to be available to even more parents across Bristol with the opening of another one in Lawrence Weston.”
His son, George, aged three, agreed, adding: “We love Boing! I love all the toys and the dressing up, especially the fire engines and the super heroes!”
You can get in touch with Boing! Via email at info@boingsoftplay.com or visit their website boingsoftplay.com
Emily Shimell is reporting as part of Bristol24/7’s community reporter scheme, a project which aims to tell stories from areas of Bristol traditionally under-served by the mainstream media
Main photo: Emily Shimell
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